WHOTwo or three clergy sex abuse victims and supporters who belong to a nationwide a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( http://www.snapnetwork.org/)

WHYLast week, Father Patrick Nicholas Hughes was arrested by the Franklin County Sheriff’s office for trying to meet up for a sexual encounter with two boys, ages 9 and 14. Hughes is the acting dean at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral on the southern edge of the Short North.

Hughes has been charged with attempted rape, a second-degree felony, and attempted unlawful sexual contact with a minor, a fourth-degree felony.

In light of these charges, SNAP feels that this is likely not Hughes’ first sexual misconduct. The group fears there may be other children who have already been harmed by him and that church officials should actively be reaching out to them. Church authorities should also be using parish bulletins and websites and other resources to urge witnesses and whistleblowers to contact law enforcement, so that Hughes might be effectively prosecuted, SNAP believes.

When he was arrested, Hughes gave his home address as 6191 Zumstein Dr. on the North Side, which is a Hawthorn Suites hotel.

Hughes is the acting dean at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral on the southern edge of the Short North.